As you might know, I am a part [one of the directors, to be precise :)] of Vidushak -- the only Indian Improv Group at University of Southern California. Every year, Vidushak performs a skit in the Diwali Show organized by the Association of Indian Students. This years skit is called : "Prakriti ki Pukaar.. when nature calls.."
Here are the videos:
Part 1 :
Part 2:
Part 3:
Comments and criticism are most welcome.
jai ho
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Adios ... The Silent Assasin !!!
7 Feb, 1999
Ferozshah Kotla
Delhi
Javagal Srinath bowled the 1st wide ball of the test match. He bowled the 2nd and the last wide ball of the match in the same over. The reason: Anil Kumble had taken 9 Pakistani wickets and the last pair was batting. Kumble had told him to forget about the record and go for the last wicket. but how could Srinath do that. He knew Kumble would get it. Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis knew Kumble would get the last one too. And he sure did.
There are a lot of apt adjectives one can associate with Anil Kumble but the one that I like the most is : Silent Assasin. Letting your work speak for yourself is the greatest reply to your detractors. And Kumble followed this principle to the T.
I salute Anil Kumble for all he has done for Indian Cricket. May he have a wonderful life post retirement.
The moment which will inspire and make every Indian, every sportsperson and every individual proud --
Anil Kumble bowling with a broken jaw and getting the wicket of Brian Lara (Antigua, 1999)
[pic courtsey : http://nebulaofthought.blogspot.com/2008/08/it-happens-only-in-india.html]
Delhi
Javagal Srinath bowled the 1st wide ball of the test match. He bowled the 2nd and the last wide ball of the match in the same over. The reason: Anil Kumble had taken 9 Pakistani wickets and the last pair was batting. Kumble had told him to forget about the record and go for the last wicket. but how could Srinath do that. He knew Kumble would get it. Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis knew Kumble would get the last one too. And he sure did.
There are a lot of apt adjectives one can associate with Anil Kumble but the one that I like the most is : Silent Assasin. Letting your work speak for yourself is the greatest reply to your detractors. And Kumble followed this principle to the T.
I salute Anil Kumble for all he has done for Indian Cricket. May he have a wonderful life post retirement.
The moment which will inspire and make every Indian, every sportsperson and every individual proud --
Anil Kumble bowling with a broken jaw and getting the wicket of Brian Lara (Antigua, 1999)[pic courtsey : http://nebulaofthought.blogspot.com/2008/08/it-happens-only-in-india.html]
jai ho
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Outsourced !!
First of all, things have been very tight and I am just not able to find time to write.
Now, a few defintions:
Improv theater : A theater style were the actors perform a short scene based on the suggestions given by the audience. You can see it as 'Instant theater'. No prior script.
Second Nature : A USC student Improv group. The best one at USC, I would say.
Vidushak : The only Indian Improv group at USC. Yours truly has recently been promoted from actor to actor-director.
Tremendosaur :A brother group of Second Nature which makes short films/sketches/spoofs.
Q- What happens when Second Nature guys see Vidushaks perform and then decide to cast them for the next Tremendosaur production?
A- Beericorn !!!
My debut in the 'American Amateur Short Films' world. Hope you like it.
jai ho
Now, a few defintions:
Improv theater : A theater style were the actors perform a short scene based on the suggestions given by the audience. You can see it as 'Instant theater'. No prior script.
Second Nature : A USC student Improv group. The best one at USC, I would say.
Vidushak : The only Indian Improv group at USC. Yours truly has recently been promoted from actor to actor-director.
Tremendosaur :A brother group of Second Nature which makes short films/sketches/spoofs.
Q- What happens when Second Nature guys see Vidushaks perform and then decide to cast them for the next Tremendosaur production?
A- Beericorn !!!
See more funny videos at Funny or Die
My debut in the 'American Amateur Short Films' world. Hope you like it.
jai ho
Saturday, September 20, 2008
one more year
Last time I had made people work a bit to come to the point but this time let's make life easier.
Another year has been added to this life of mine and I am happy.
AMEN !!!
PS: I am suffering from a very bad phase of writer's block. Hopefully this post will get me out of it.
Thanks for staying with me.
Another year has been added to this life of mine and I am happy.
AMEN !!!
PS: I am suffering from a very bad phase of writer's block. Hopefully this post will get me out of it.
Thanks for staying with me.
Saturday, August 02, 2008
When Zero is enough
The first indication of the future-to-be is out. The cut-off for Physics for IIT-JEE 2008 is ZERO !! Thanks to the mindless increase in the number of seats and creation of new IITs when the last one to be created has still to gain foothold by the crappy Ministry of Human Resources Development.
From now on all you have to do to be an IITian is to leave the paper blank. That, if you don't have a scheduled caste/tribe/OBC certificate. Now, before you begin to bash me for discrimination against oppressed people, let me mention that I belong to OBC and I thank GOD that this crap was not there when I got through IIT-JEE. Being an IITian is no more an achievement, something I, and all pre-2008 IITians, will always be proud of. Clearing JEE gives you the self-confidence which can't be described. It has to be experienced first hand. Not anymore. In very near future, a new born may very well receive an OBC/SC/ST certificate as a birthday present.
The anti-IIT people may say whatever they want, but they can't deny the very fact that the Brand IIT was one of the very few things which could compete and succeed anywhere in the world. Not anymore. It will no more be Brand IIT but Brand IIT-Kgp or Brand IIT-Mumbai or Brand IIT-Chennai or Brand IIT-Kanpur and so on. If you think of it carefully, it will do more harm to the students than good. Now they ask, "Which college?" and you say, "IIT". Tomorrow they'll ask," Which IIT?" And those who won't belong to one, won't even be considered. By the time this government completes its tenure, it will have done irrepairable damage to our education system (apart from national security et al)
The meritous students will still get a good All India Rank and therefore a good IIT, but in all probability, their credibility will be reduced, if not lost, because there will be tens of thousands of other students studying in an institute with the same name. The outside world will find it easier to shun them all , rather than find out which IIT is good and which is bad.
I believe that if one really wants welfare of the oppressed tribes, they should make sure the chidren have proper primary and secondary education. Thrusting them into an IIT hasn't and would never help them. 50 % reservation is not the solution. And if you are hell bent on reserving seats, do so at all the public and private schools. That would serve generations in a way you can't even imagine. Giving them easy admission to IITs is like pushing someone very hard and hoping that (s)he would reach the top, not realising that (s)he will fall flat more often that not. Common sense says that teach them how to climb the ladder and give them enough confidence so that they can reach the top on their own.
Good luck to all the future IITians, for you'll have to keep fighting beyond JEE.
jai ho
From now on all you have to do to be an IITian is to leave the paper blank. That, if you don't have a scheduled caste/tribe/OBC certificate. Now, before you begin to bash me for discrimination against oppressed people, let me mention that I belong to OBC and I thank GOD that this crap was not there when I got through IIT-JEE. Being an IITian is no more an achievement, something I, and all pre-2008 IITians, will always be proud of. Clearing JEE gives you the self-confidence which can't be described. It has to be experienced first hand. Not anymore. In very near future, a new born may very well receive an OBC/SC/ST certificate as a birthday present.
The anti-IIT people may say whatever they want, but they can't deny the very fact that the Brand IIT was one of the very few things which could compete and succeed anywhere in the world. Not anymore. It will no more be Brand IIT but Brand IIT-Kgp or Brand IIT-Mumbai or Brand IIT-Chennai or Brand IIT-Kanpur and so on. If you think of it carefully, it will do more harm to the students than good. Now they ask, "Which college?" and you say, "IIT". Tomorrow they'll ask," Which IIT?" And those who won't belong to one, won't even be considered. By the time this government completes its tenure, it will have done irrepairable damage to our education system (apart from national security et al)
The meritous students will still get a good All India Rank and therefore a good IIT, but in all probability, their credibility will be reduced, if not lost, because there will be tens of thousands of other students studying in an institute with the same name. The outside world will find it easier to shun them all , rather than find out which IIT is good and which is bad.
I believe that if one really wants welfare of the oppressed tribes, they should make sure the chidren have proper primary and secondary education. Thrusting them into an IIT hasn't and would never help them. 50 % reservation is not the solution. And if you are hell bent on reserving seats, do so at all the public and private schools. That would serve generations in a way you can't even imagine. Giving them easy admission to IITs is like pushing someone very hard and hoping that (s)he would reach the top, not realising that (s)he will fall flat more often that not. Common sense says that teach them how to climb the ladder and give them enough confidence so that they can reach the top on their own.
Good luck to all the future IITians, for you'll have to keep fighting beyond JEE.
jai ho
Sunday, July 27, 2008
It's time
It's time for the government to finally wake up. It's time to launch a massive crackdown on the existing/nurturing terrorist outfits in India. It's time to look beyond politics and declare a war on terror. It's time to take such actions that'll force the future terrorists to think twice. It's time to plug the loopholes in the intelligence and security systems. It's time to be able to see through few thousand rupees. It's time to have a Federal Agency with unmatched powers to counter terrorism.
The NDA government had introduced POTA. At least it was a step. The UPA government dissolved it on the grounds of misuse. It should very well then dissolve the laws related to dowry, murder, rape because if we let it to, any law can be misused. And that's all UPA government did, dissolve the POTA. Not finding ways to prevent its misuse, not passing an equivalent law, not giving enough attention to terrorism in India, just dissolved POTA and relaxed.
"Hundred criminals may get away but not a single innocent should be punished"
Well, innocents are being punished and terrorists are getting away with it. Everytime.
The poeple in power need to step up before it's too late. Let's, for once, care about the innocents first. I appeal to the Indian government to stand up and vow to save innocent lives at all costs. I appeal for them to actually do something instead of just adding points in their election speech.
I appeal to every politician who is opposing strict action against terrorist outfits and the likes to think about the people who died sue to such inaction.
This is not politics. This is a war and we have fight it very hard. Let's show them that they are not getting away with killing innocent citizens of India. Let's show them that we are a peaceful nation, we don't go around attacking countries or promoting terrorism BUT if an innocent Indian is hurt, we WILL hunt you down and we mean it.
I express my deepest condolescences for the victims of Mumbai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Bangalore and Ahmedabad blasts.
Fight On !!!
The NDA government had introduced POTA. At least it was a step. The UPA government dissolved it on the grounds of misuse. It should very well then dissolve the laws related to dowry, murder, rape because if we let it to, any law can be misused. And that's all UPA government did, dissolve the POTA. Not finding ways to prevent its misuse, not passing an equivalent law, not giving enough attention to terrorism in India, just dissolved POTA and relaxed.
"Hundred criminals may get away but not a single innocent should be punished"
Well, innocents are being punished and terrorists are getting away with it. Everytime.
The poeple in power need to step up before it's too late. Let's, for once, care about the innocents first. I appeal to the Indian government to stand up and vow to save innocent lives at all costs. I appeal for them to actually do something instead of just adding points in their election speech.
I appeal to every politician who is opposing strict action against terrorist outfits and the likes to think about the people who died sue to such inaction.
This is not politics. This is a war and we have fight it very hard. Let's show them that they are not getting away with killing innocent citizens of India. Let's show them that we are a peaceful nation, we don't go around attacking countries or promoting terrorism BUT if an innocent Indian is hurt, we WILL hunt you down and we mean it.
I express my deepest condolescences for the victims of Mumbai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Bangalore and Ahmedabad blasts.
Fight On !!!
Monday, July 14, 2008
de-Tagged
I was at-tagged by Reema almost a month back with this. I Hope she remembers tagging me !!
One religious work from a non-familiar tradition you’ll read:
Quran. I have lots of questions.
One music video–that you like–from your “least likely to listen to’ genre:
"Aur ahista, kijiye baatein' by Pankaj Udhas. Beautiful song and video, but I seldom listen/see it.
A book from a genre you almost never read, that you have read, or you will read (promise!):
None. I am not much of a reader and so I can't promise I'll read any, especially from a non-favorite genre. I like thriller novels though, the Dan Brown type.
Somewhere you’d never thought to go on holiday/vacation, and why it might be fun to go there?
The Carribean. I just love their accents and fun-loving lifestyle.
A specific food you’ve never tried, but will because of this meme, honest!:
Greek cuisine. (this meme is just co-incidental, I would have tried that eventually anyway :P)
The Carribean. I just love their accents and fun-loving lifestyle.
A specific food you’ve never tried, but will because of this meme, honest!:
Greek cuisine. (this meme is just co-incidental, I would have tried that eventually anyway :P)
A sport or game you really hate, or haven’t tried yet, but are willing to give one more go:
Badminton. I don't hate it per se, but it is not a great watch, as compared to cricket/hockey/soccer. Besides, it is one game I think I can play.
Badminton. I don't hate it per se, but it is not a great watch, as compared to cricket/hockey/soccer. Besides, it is one game I think I can play.
A style of dance you probably won’t try (we won’t make you promise on this one):
Acrobatic Dance. Too tough.
Business and Management. I have no reason but I can't picture myself being in this field.
An item that’s “thinking out of the box’ for this meme that hadn’t been included:
If given a chance, which song would you sing on stage, in front of a huge audience?
'Sweet Child O' Mine' by Guns and Roses
It’s there’s one thing in life you wanted to do, and will do because of this meme, what will it be?An item that’s “thinking out of the box’ for this meme that hadn’t been included:
If given a chance, which song would you sing on stage, in front of a huge audience?
'Sweet Child O' Mine' by Guns and Roses
Again.. I can't promise but I do want to direct a movie :)
I won't tag anyone. Feel free to do this tag if you wish.
Jai ho
Monday, July 07, 2008
Missing from action
Yes, I agree that I vanished, yet again. But I can't help it. (Actually, I could have helped it, but everytime I thought of posting a new post, I wanted it to be one of my best posts. And the improbability of this event held me back)
Best post or not, this thought just came across me while surfing the net (cricinfo, to be exact) and I said to myself that if I don't post it now, I may never do it.
So, this article was about Saqlain Mushtaq, the great off-spinner from Pakistan. For non-Indians, he is a cricketer. Rest, you better not say out loud that you have never heard of Saqlain Mushtaq. Not if you are older than 16 years. And this is my point. One of my wingies used to say,"Jawaani ke din hain bhai !!" When I meet guys 3-4 years younger than me, I wonder if jawaani ke din abhi bhi hain ya nahin. I believe that they are and I certainly hope they last for few more years, at least. Anyway, time flies and takes something with it. Here I am listing (in no particular order) what I miss now-a-days, which used to be an integral part of my growing years:
jai ho
Best post or not, this thought just came across me while surfing the net (cricinfo, to be exact) and I said to myself that if I don't post it now, I may never do it.
So, this article was about Saqlain Mushtaq, the great off-spinner from Pakistan. For non-Indians, he is a cricketer. Rest, you better not say out loud that you have never heard of Saqlain Mushtaq. Not if you are older than 16 years. And this is my point. One of my wingies used to say,"Jawaani ke din hain bhai !!" When I meet guys 3-4 years younger than me, I wonder if jawaani ke din abhi bhi hain ya nahin. I believe that they are and I certainly hope they last for few more years, at least. Anyway, time flies and takes something with it. Here I am listing (in no particular order) what I miss now-a-days, which used to be an integral part of my growing years:
- Literally praying for India to win a cricket match.
- Govinda
- Saqlain Mushtaq
- Ajay Jadeja
- Daler Mehandi
- Ranchi
- Captain Vyom
- My 'gang' in Class 8-10
- Being rank 1 in the class
- Wasim Akram
- Madhuri Dixit
- Juhi Chawla
jai ho
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani - What say now ?
1999
Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla and Aziz Mirza formed 'Dreamz Unlimited' and their first venture was 'Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani'. The film could not live upto its hype and was largely trashed by audience and critics alike. People could not fathom the idea of media sprewn all over, media war et al. I read somewhere that the film was way ahead of its time.
2004 onwards
It turns out that the film was only 5 years ahead of its time. This was the time when news channels went 24-hour and gradually converted into 'entertainment news channel'. 99% of today's news is crap. And if you think of it, almost everything that PBDHH had shown is true and happening now.
The 'making' of a news, the 'Live Reports', 'Breaking news', anchors switching channels, shameless in-your-face news, the power of sponsorship ... what not. The only exception is India is yet to see the live telecast of an execution but it doesn't look improbable.
I agree that with the advent of enormous media power, investigative journalism etc. , there has been a great increase in the general level of awareness among common people. Now a victim sees the possibility of fighting injustice with the help of media. But the big question is : Does media understand the importance of its power and the responsibility that comes with it ?
Why would a news channel air a daily show called 'Kaal Kapaal Mahakaal' or 'Sannaata' !!!
Why would a news channel air a Breaking News titled 'Maine dekha bhoot ko' for more than 48 hours !!!
Why would a news channel follow a filmstar on his umpteenth visit to a temple !!!
Media has enormous power. And the effect of any power magnifies manifold if one knows when to stop, which the Indian media obviously doesn't. I wish that someday they had a reality check and transform into a powerful and responsible platform.
jai ho
Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla and Aziz Mirza formed 'Dreamz Unlimited' and their first venture was 'Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani'. The film could not live upto its hype and was largely trashed by audience and critics alike. People could not fathom the idea of media sprewn all over, media war et al. I read somewhere that the film was way ahead of its time.
2004 onwards
It turns out that the film was only 5 years ahead of its time. This was the time when news channels went 24-hour and gradually converted into 'entertainment news channel'. 99% of today's news is crap. And if you think of it, almost everything that PBDHH had shown is true and happening now.
The 'making' of a news, the 'Live Reports', 'Breaking news', anchors switching channels, shameless in-your-face news, the power of sponsorship ... what not. The only exception is India is yet to see the live telecast of an execution but it doesn't look improbable.
I agree that with the advent of enormous media power, investigative journalism etc. , there has been a great increase in the general level of awareness among common people. Now a victim sees the possibility of fighting injustice with the help of media. But the big question is : Does media understand the importance of its power and the responsibility that comes with it ?
Why would a news channel air a daily show called 'Kaal Kapaal Mahakaal' or 'Sannaata' !!!
Why would a news channel air a Breaking News titled 'Maine dekha bhoot ko' for more than 48 hours !!!
Why would a news channel follow a filmstar on his umpteenth visit to a temple !!!
Media has enormous power. And the effect of any power magnifies manifold if one knows when to stop, which the Indian media obviously doesn't. I wish that someday they had a reality check and transform into a powerful and responsible platform.
jai ho
Saturday, June 14, 2008
The Power of 8
It's tag time again !!! (And yeah... I still remember how to login to blogger. It's just that .... you know.... well... you all know so no point re-iterating)
Mini tagged me sometime back, and here it goes :-
8 things I am passionate about :
jai ho
Mini tagged me sometime back, and here it goes :-
8 things I am passionate about :
- India
- The place where I grew up (not my hometown Dhanbad, but the small little locality called 'Bhelatand')
- I.I.T. Kharagpur
- My Computer
- Theatre
- Movie-making
- Fusion music
- Phoenix Productions
- Direct a movie
- Act in a movie/US TV series
- Name a scientific term after me.
- Win an award.
- Take my family on a World tour.
- Learn to play Drums
- Own the most luxurious Mercedes
- Be on a mountain top, arms widespread, and welcome the sun.
- Arre yaar
- kya baat kar raha hai
- kuchh oonch-neech ho gayi to
- good for you
- sahi hai
- ummeed par to duniya kaayam hai
- sab moh-maya hai
- makhaa diya
- Deception point
- Angels and Demons
- One Night @ The Call Center
- The Da Vinci Code
- Night over Water
- Five Point Someone
- Digital Fortress
- The Interpreter of Maladies
- Coming Back to Life - Pink Floyd
- Naa Jaane Kyun - Strings
- Rock the Raaga - Mrigya
- Bhor - Indian Ocean
- Knocking on Heaven's Door - Guns n Roses
- Deewana Hua Baadal - Mohd. Rafi & Asha Bhosle (Kashmir ki Kali)
- Sweet Child of Mine (the first 3:33 minutes) -Guns n Roses
- Jaage hain - A.R.Rahmaan (Guru)
jai ho
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